MALAYAN FISHES. 31 
BLOW-PIPE FISHES. 
(TONOTIDAE.) 
The Ikan sumpit or Sumpit-sumpit (Sumpitan, a blow- 
pipe) is so named from its method, unique among fishes, of shoot- 
ing water from its mouth at in-ects which it perceives close to the 
surface, 
They are very common estuary fishes congregating under 
piers, fallen trees and branches, where they may be both seen and 
heard spitting at flies and similar small game, which they knock 
down with surprising accuracy. 
In the second edition of Day’s Fishes, this shooting habit is 
erroneously attributed to another fish, Chelmo rostratus, which is 
also known to the Malays as Ikan sumpit, and a note under Toxo- 
tes reads, “It is stated in some works that these wide mouthed 
fishes shoot insects with a drop' of water........ The action is one 
which the mouths of these fishes appear incapable of effecting.” 
There is ample evidence, however, to prove that Toxotes do 
shoot, and though their mouths are large it will be noticed that they 
have the projecting lower jaw of the true cuspidore artist. 
Chelmo rostratus, on the other hand, though it has pipe-like 
projecting jaws, is a fish which is found at sea in the neighbourhood 
of coral reefs where flies and insects must be rare. 
It owes its name “ Sumpit-sumpit ” to the fact that, after 
capture, it spurts water through its mouth. 
Toxotes chatareus grows to a length of about one foot and I 
have taken several with a rod when fishing with prawn bait for 
Siakap, between half and three quarters of a pound. They are 
quite good eating. 
FRESH-WATER ‘PERCHES. 
(NANDIDAE.) 
I have no information regarding the Képau or Patong (Cato- 
pra fasciata) which is the sole member of this family recorded in 
our waters under a Malay name. . 
SEA-PERCHES. 
(SERRANIDAB.) 
The very incomplete list in this book gives some 45 species of 
Sea-perches. The family is a very large and most important one, 
containing as it does, not only some of our largest fish but also 
many of our best edible fish including the Ikan merah. Nearly 
ull the members of this family are carnivorous fishes which take a 
bait readily. 
I propose to mention only a few of the most important ones. 
